OUR PARLIAMENT (29) Andaman & Nicobar Islands 1 (30) Chandigarh 1 (31) Dadra & Nagar Haveli 1 (32) Daman & Diu 1 (33) NCT of Delhi 7 (34) Lakshadweep 1 (36) Anglo-Indians (if nominated 2 by the President under Article 331 of the Constitution) RAJYA SABHA Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament. It has not more than 250 members. Members of Rajya Sabha are not elected by the people directly but indirectly by the Legislative Assemblies of the various States. Every State is allotted a certain number of members. No member of Rajya Sabha can be under 30 years of age. Twelve of Rajya Sabha members are nominated by the President from persons who have earned distinction in the fields of literature, art, science and social service. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. It is not subject to dissolution but one-third of its members retire every two years.

Rajya Sabha was duly constituted for the first time on April 3, 1952 and it held its first sitting on May 13, that year. There are at present 245 members in Rajya Sabha, distributed among different States and Union Territories as follows: (1) Andhra Pradesh 18 (29) NCT of Delhi 3 (30) Pondicherry 1 (31) Nominated by the President under 12 Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution Presiding Officers Lok Sabha elects one of its own members as its Presiding Officer and he is called the Speaker. He is assisted by the Deputy Speaker who is also elected by Lok Sabha. The conduct of business in Lok Sabha is the responsibility of the Speaker. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. He is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament. Rajya Sabha also elects one of its members to be the Deputy Chairman. Functions of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha The main function of both the Houses is to pass laws.

Every Bill has to be passed by both the Houses and assented to by the President before it becomes law. The subjects over which Parliament can legislate are the subjects mentioned under the Union List in the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Broadly speaking, Union subjects are those important subjects which for reasons of convenience, efficiency and security are administered on all-India basis. The principal Union subjects are Defence, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Transport and Communications, Currency and Coinage, Banking, Customs and Excise Duties. There are numerous other subjects on which both Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate. Under this category mention may be made of economic and social planning, social security and insurance, labour welfare, price control and vital statistics. Besides passing laws, Parliament can by means of resolutions, motions for adjournment, discussions and questions addressed by members to Ministers exercise control over the administration of the country and safeguard peopleï¿½s liberties. Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (1) Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the eligible voters. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.

(2) The normal life of every Lok Sabha is 5 years only while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. (3) Lok Sabha is the House to which the Council of Ministers is responsible under the Constitution. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Also it is Lok Sabha which grants the money for running the administration of the country. (4) Rajya Sabha has special powers to declare that it is necessary and expedient in the national interest that Parliament may make laws with respect to a matter in the State List or to create by law one or more all-India services common to the Union and the States. Parliament of India ~ Bhartiya Sansad| Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha Has ceased to be a citizen of India. Is of unsound mind. If a person has been convicted, among other things, for promoting enmity between different groups or convicted for the offence of bribery. Has been punished for preaching and practising social crimes such as untouchability, dowry, or sati, then he is disqualified from being chosen as a member. If the person is convicted for an offence and sentenced to imprisonment; and for a government servant dismissed for corruption or for disloyalty to the State.

Session of the Indian Parliament : The period during which the House meets to conduct its business is called a session. The Constitution empowers the President to summon each House at such intervals that there should not be more than 6-month's gap between the two sessions. Hence the Parliament must meet at least twice a year. In India, the parliament conducts three sessions each year. Budget session: In the months of February to May. Monsoon session: In the months of July to September. Winter session: In the months of November to December Rajya Sabha (Council of the States) : The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the parliament and it is constituted from the representatives from the states or the constituent units of the Indian Union. It is a permanent body, one third of its members retire after every two years. It's maximum strength is 250. Out of these , twelve members are nominated by the president from well known personalities in the realm of science, Art, literature and social services. Rest are 238 representatives of the states and union territories are elected,roughly in proportion to their population; each State is, however, represented by at least one member.

The representatives of each State in Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote. The representatives of the Union territories are chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law prescribe. The minimum age for membership of the House is 30 years The Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution, but as nearly as possible, one-third of its members retire as soon as may be on the expiration of every second year in accordance with the provisions made in that behalf by Parliament by law. The normal term of office of a member of Rajya Sabha is six years from the date of election or nomination. Lok Sabha (House of the People): Lok Sabha is also known as the "House of the People" or the lower house. The Lok Sabha, as the name itself signifies, is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of adult suffrage.

The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552 – upto 530 members to represent the States, upto 20 members to represent the Union territories and not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community to be nominated by the President if, in his opinion, that community is not adequately represented in the House. The total elective membership of the House is distributed among the States in such a way that the ratio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States. The qualifying age for membership of the Lok Sabha is 25 years. Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests; which interests each must maintain, as an agent and advocate, against other agents and advocates; but parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with one interest, that of the whole; where, not local purposes, not local prejudices ought to guide, but the general good, resulting from the general reason of the whole. You choose a member indeed; but when you have chosen him, he is not a member of Bristol, but he is a member of parliament.

- Edmund Burke (a British Statesman) Parliament of the country is the repository of the sovereign will of the people, and its successful functioning is a joint responsibility of both the government and the Opposition. - Pratibha Patil, 12th President of India You might also like: Petitions PARLIAMENT OF INDIA RAJYA SABHA The right to petition Parliament in a democracy is of a great antiquity and of immense importance for safeguarding the rights of the citizens. The Rules of the Rajya Sabha permit all citizens of the country to petition the Rajya Sabha in respect of the following: - Any Bill which has been introduced or is pending in the Rajya Sabha. Any matter of general public interest relating to Government of India (excepting matters which are sub judice or for which remedy is available under Laws, Rules, Regulations or Bye-laws made by or under the authority of the Central Government).

Petitions may be submitted in the format given below in English or Hindi, signed by the Petitioner:- To:- THE COUNCIL OF STATES (RAJYA SABHA) The petition of ……………………………………………………………………..(Here insert name and designation or description of petitioner(s) in concise form, e.g……………………………”A, B, and other” or “the inhabitants of ………………..”Or “the Municipality of ……………………………………….” etc.). Sheweth (HERE INSERT CONCISE STATEMENT OF CASE) and accordingly your petitioner (s) pray that ……………………………………… (Here insert “that the Bill be or be not proceeded with” or “that special provision be made in the Bill to meet the case of your petitioner (s) or any other appropriate prayer regarding the Bill or matter pending before the Council or a matter of general public interest”). Name of Petitioner …………………..

Counter-Signature of Member presenting The Petition addressed to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) may either be forwarded to the Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha, Parliament House, New Delhi or may be got countersigned by a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) who may then present it before the Rajya Sabha on the Petitioner’s behalf. The Committee on Petitions will examine every petition referred to it. The recommendations of the Committee on the Petition will be presented in the form of a Report to the Rajya Sabha whereafter the recommendations will receive the consideration of the appropriate Ministry of the Government of India. This process will be monitored by the Committee on Petitions. The Indian Parliament The Indian Parliament comprises two Houses – Lok Sabha (House of the People), and Rajya Sabha, (Council of the States), and the President of India. Parliament has four primary functions: to make laws, to sanction government expenditure, to oversee the work of the government, and to represent the interests of the people. Q.1: What is Parliament? According to the Constitution of India, the union legislative body is called the Parliament. The Hindi term for Parliament is Sansad.

The Parliament includes the President and the two Houses – the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This kind of system, with two Houses, is called a bicameral legislature. Rajya Sabha: The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the Upper House of Parliament. The House has a maximum of 250 members, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature, science, and social services. The remaining 238 members are elected by the members of the legislative bodies from the States and Union Territories. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and unlike the Lok Sabha, it cannot be dissolved at any time. Each member of the Rajaya Sabha serves for a term of six years. But one third of its members retire at the expiration of every two years. The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. It, however, elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members who takes care of the day-to-day working of the House. Both Houses have equal legislative powers except in the area of finance where the Lok Sabha is given overriding powers.

Lok Sabha: The Lok Sabha (House of the People) is the Lower House of Parliament. The members are directly elected to the House. The electorate consists of all citizens who have attained 18 years of age and are otherwise not disqualified to vote under the law. Under the Constitution, the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha can be 552 members. The Constitution provides that up to 530 members would represent territorial constituencies in the states, up to 20 members would represent the Union Territories, and two members would be appointed by the President to represent the Anglo-Indian community if there is inadequate representation of the community. The minimum age for qualification as a member of the Lok Sabha is 25 years. Each Lok Sabha is formed for a period of five years, at the end of which the House is dissolved. The House can be dissolved before the completion of the term or it can be extended by a Proclamation of Emergency. The period of extension cannot exceed one year at a time. A Speaker and a Deputy Speaker, elected by the members of the Lok Sabha, conduct day to day business. The Deputy Speaker presides during the absence of the Speaker. Q.2: What are the functions of Parliament?

In the Indian system, the Council of Ministers are also Members of Parliament (that is, there is an overlap of the legislative and executive functions for several members) For those members who are part of the Council of Ministers, there is an additional responsibility of the executive as compared to those who are not in the Council of Ministers. The broad functions of Parliament can be described as follows: - Legislative responsibility: To pass laws - Oversight responsibility: To ensure that the executive (i.e. government) performs its duties satisfactorily - Representative responsibility: To represent the views and aspirations of the people of their constituency in Parliament. - “Power of the Purse” responsibility: To approve and oversee the revenues and expenditures proposed by the government Q.3: What constitutes the Government of India? The President is the formal, constitutional head of the Republic of India. After the Lok Sabha elections, the President invites the leader of the party or parties with the majority of votes in the Lok Sabha to form the Government. The President appoints the leader of the majority party as the Prime Minister and on the advice of the Prime Minister appoints other ministers. The ministers can be chosen from both Houses of Parliament.

The political power is vested with the Prime Minister and his team of ministers – the Council of Ministers. The Council of Ministers constitute the Government of India and the government is headed by the Prime Minister. The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, (together forming the Executive) is responsible for the governance of the country and is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. If the Lok Sabha passes a motion of no-confidence (See Q 31) against the Council of Ministers, the term of the Government comes to an end. As the leader of the majority, the Prime Minister is also the Leader of the Lok Sabha. He has to perform certain parliamentary functions like proposing dates of calling the House in session to the Speaker and drawing up the programme of official business. The leader of the largest party in opposition in each House is designated as the Leader of the Opposition. Q.4: What is the role of the President of India with regard to Parliament? The President is the constitutional head of Republic of India, directly elected by an electoral college that includes elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States.

The President performs certain constitutional functions: - The President invites the leader of the majority party to form the Government after a new Lok Sabha is duly elected. - The President nominates 12 members of the Rajya Sabha and has the right to nominate two members from the Anglo Indian community to the Lok Sabha if they are under-represented. - On the advice of the Executive, the President summons the two Houses of Parliament to meet from time to time. - The President has the power to discontinue a session in the two Houses and dissolve the Lok Sabha (in consultation with the Executive). - The President has to agree to sign a Bill (see Q7) before it can become a law. - If the Houses are not in session, the President can enact or promulgate Ordinances (see Q25) having the same validity as a law passed in Parliament. - The President has the power to appoint the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of Rajya Sabha on an interim basis. - The President has the right to address either or both Houses of Parliament. - The President has the power to call both Houses for a joint sitting in case a dispute arises over passing a Bill. In the joint sitting, the matter is decided by majority vote.

Q.5: What are the special powers of Rajya Sabha? Rajya Sabha enjoys certain special powers. They are as follows: · Rajya Sabha can declare that it would be in the national interest for the Parliament to make laws on any subject in the State List; and · Rajya Sabha is empowered to make laws creating one or more All India Services, which would be common to the Union and State, if it is deemed to serve the national interest. The services such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and All-India Judicial Service are part of the All India Services. Q.6: What are the qualifications and disqualifications for being a Member of Parliament? To be qualified to become a Member of Parliament a person must be: · a citizen of India; · not less than 30 years of age in the case of the Rajya Sabha and not less than 25 years in the case of the Lok Sabha; and · a voter for any parliamentary constituency in India, but in the case of the Rajya Sabha a candidate must be registered as an elector in the State or Union Territory from where he is to be chosen. There are, however, certain disqualifications for becoming a member.

A person would be ineligible for being a member of either House of Parliament if the person: · holds any office of profit under the government other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder; · is of unsound mind; · is an undischarged insolvent; PARLIAMENT OF INDIA PARLIAMENT OF INDIA ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The Constitution of India which came into force on 26 January 1950, provides for a bicameral Parliament consisting of the President and the two Houses known as the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha).

The President ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The President of the Republic is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies (popular Houses) of the States.ï¿½ Though the President of India is a constituent part of Parliament, he does not sit or participate in the discussions in either of the twoï¿½ Houses.ï¿½ There are certain constitutional functions which he has to perform with respect to Parliament.ï¿½ The President summons and prorogues the two Houses of Parliament from time to time.ï¿½ While the Rajya Sabha is a continuing body, the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha vests in the President.ï¿½ His assent is essential for a Bill passed by both Houses of Parliament.ï¿½ When the Parliament is not in Session and he is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, the President can promulgate Ordinances having the same force and effect as laws passed by Parliament.

The Two Houses of Parliament Composition and Duration Council of States (Rajya Sabha) ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The Rajya Sabha is to consist of not more than 250 members.ï¿½ Of these, 12 are nominated by the President for their special knowledge or practical experience in such matters as literature, science, art and social service.ï¿½ The remaining seats are allocated to the various States and Union territories, roughly in proportion to their population; each State is, however, represented by at least one member. The total number of seats in the Rajya Sabha at present is 245, including 12 members nominated by the President. ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The representatives of each State in Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.

The representatives of the Union territories are chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law prescribe.ï¿½ The minimum age for membership of the House is 30 years. The allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to be filled by the representatives of the States/Union territoriesï¿½ is as follows: Name of the State/Union Territory Total Number of Seats 29. The National Capital Territory of Delhi 30. Pondicherry 31.

Nominated by the President under article 80 (1) (a) of the Constitution 18 Total 245 ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution, but as nearly as possible, one-third of its members retire as soon as may be on the expiration of every second year in accordance with the provisions made in that behalf by Parliament by law.ï¿½ The normal term of office of a member of Rajya Sabha is six years from the date of election or nomination.

House of the People (Lok Sabha) ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The Lok Sabha, as the name itself signifies, is composed of representatives of the people chosen by direct election on the basis of adult suffrage.ï¿½ The maximum strength of the House envisaged by the Constitution is 552 ï¿½ upto 530 members to represent the States, upto 20 members to represent the Union territories and not more than two members of the Anglo-Indian Community to be nominated by the President if, in his opinion, that community is not adequately represented in the House.ï¿½ The total elective membership of the House is distributed among the States in such a way that the ratio between the number of seats allotted to each State and the population of the State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States.ï¿½ The qualifying age for membership of the Lok Sabha is 25 years.ï¿½ The Lok Sabha at present consists of 545 members.ï¿½ The allocation of seats to the States and the Union territoriesï¿½ is as under: ï¿½ï¿

½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Total 545 ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The Lok Sabha, unless sooner dissolved, continues for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and the expiration of the period of five years operates as dissolution of the House.ï¿½ However, while a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation, this period may be extended by Parliament by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not exceeding in any case beyond a period of six months after the Proclamation has ceased to operate.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Following the first General Elections held in the country in 1952, the First Lok Sabha met for the first time on 13 May 1952.

The Second Lok Sabha met for the first time onï¿½ 10 May 1957, the Third Lok Sabha onï¿½ 16 April 1962, the Fourth Lok Sabha onï¿½ 16 Marchï¿½ 1967, the Fifth Lok Sabha on 19 March 1971, the Sixth Lok Sabha on 25 March 1977, the Seventh Lok Sabha onï¿½ 21 January 1980, the Eighth Lok Sabha on 15 January 1985, the Ninth Lok Sabha on 18 December 1989, the Tenth Lok Sabha on 9 July 1991, the Eleventh Lok Sabha on 22 May 1996, the Twelfth Lok Sabha on 23 March 1998, the Thirteenth Lok Sabha on 20 October 1999 and Fourteenth Lok Sabha on 2 June, 2004.

Functions ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The main function of both the Houses is to make laws. Every Bill has to be passed by both the Houses and assented to by the President before it becomes law. The subjects over which Parliament can legislate are the subjects mentioned under the Union List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Broadly speaking, Union subjects are those important subjects which for reasons of convenience, efficiency and security are administered on all-lndia basis. The principal Union subjects are defence, foreign affairs, railways, insurance, communications, currency and coinage, banking, income tax, customs, excise duties, atomic energy, census, etc. Apart from the wide range of subjects allotted to it in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, even in normal times Parliament can, under certain circumstances, assume legislative power over a subject falling within the sphere exclusively reserved for the States.

Further, in times of grave emergency when the security of India or any part thereof is threatened by war or external aggression or armed rebellion, and a Proclamation of Emergency is made by the President, Parliament acquires the power to make laws for the whole or any part of the territory of India with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State List.ï¿½ Similarly, in the event of the failure of the constitutional machinery in a State, the powers of the Legislature of that State become exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. This apart, the Constitution also vests in the Parliament the constituent power or the power to initiate amendment of the Constitution. ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Besides passing laws, Parliament can by means of resolutions, motions for adjournment, discussions, questions addressed by members to Ministers, system of committees, etc., exercise control over the administration of the country and safeguard people's liberties. Relative Roles ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ As between the two Houses, the Lok Sabha has supremacy in financial matters.

It is also the House to which the Council of Ministers drawn from both Houses is collectively responsible.ï¿½ ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ On the other hand, the Rajya Sabha has a special role in enabling Parliament to legislate on a State subject if it is necessary in the national interest.ï¿½ It has a similarï¿½ power in regard to the creation of an All-India Service common to the Union and the States.ï¿½ In other respects, the Constitution proceeds on a theory of equality of status of the two Houses. ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Disagreement between the two Houses on amendments to a Bill may be resolved by both the Houses meeting in a joint sitting where questions are decided by majority vote.ï¿½ However, this provision of joint sitting does not apply to Money Bills and Constitution Amendment Bills.

The Presiding Officers ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Each House ofï¿½ Parliament has its own Presiding Officers.ï¿½ In the Lok Sabha, both the Presiding Officers, i.e. the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker are elected from amongst its members.ï¿½ In the Rajya Sabha, the Vice-President of India is the ex officio Chairman.ï¿½ He is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both the Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.ï¿½ The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is, however, elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha from amongst themselves. Leader of the House ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Each House ofï¿½ Parliament has a Leader.ï¿½ The Prime Minister, who is the Leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha, functions as the Leader of the House in the Lok Sabha except when he is not a member of the Lok Sabha.

In the case, when the Prime Minister is not a member of the Lok Sabha, he appoints/nominates a Minister, who is a member of the Lok Sabha,ï¿½ to be the leader of the House in the Lok Sabha. The senior-most Minister, who is a member of the Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. Leader of the Opposition ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ ï¿½ Each House of Parliament has a Leader of the Opposition.ï¿½ The Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977 defines the term ï¿½Leader of the Oppositionï¿½ as that member of the Rajya Sabha or the Lok Sabha who, for the time being, is the Leader of that House of the Party in Opposition to the Governmentï¿½ having the greatest numerical strength and recognized,ï¿½ as such, by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Sessions ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Normally, three Sessions of Parliament are held in a year: (i) Budget Session (February-May); (ii) Monsoon Session (July-August); and (iii) Winter Session (November-December). The Office of Speaker Lok Sabha Address at the function for launching of two Satellite Channels for the live telecast of the proceedings of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Parliament House, New Delhi, 14 December 2004. Respected Upa-Rastrapatiji, Respected Prime Minister, Honï¿½ble Shri S. Jaipal Reddy, Honï¿½ble Shri L.K. Advaniji, other Honï¿½ble Ministers, Members of Parliament, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen : It is indeed a great honour for me to launch a dedicated satellite channel for the live telecast of the proceedings of Lok Sabha from today onwards. With this, India joins a few other nations such as Canada, USA, UK, Denmark, Iran, Hungary and Bulgaria which have been telecasting live the entire proceedings of their Parliament.

We are grateful to the Honï¿½ble Vice-President for his kind consent in proceeding with this programme. I also extend my thanks to Honï¿½ble Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Jaipal Reddy, Officers of the Doordarshan and of the Lok Sabha for their cooperation. We have moved ahead step by step towards telecasting live the proceedings. I recall that it was on 20 December 1989 when the Presidentï¿½s Address to the Members of both the Houses of Parliament in the Central Hall was telecast live for the first time by Doordarshan on their National Channel. Later the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and other important proceedings such as the Presidentï¿½s Address, General and Railway Budgets, Motions of Confidence and No-Confidence, Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Important Statements, etc. are being telecast live on Doordarshanï¿½s National Channel or DD-News Channel. The programmes are telecast live on two Low Power Transmitters with a very limited reach. Naturally, the people were having only a limited scope to watch the parliamentary proceedings.

We have taken the initiatives for telecasting the entire proceedings of the House so that it is a live and true reflection of what is going on in the House. What is known as the ï¿½Zero Hourï¿½ proceedings in Lok Sabha are being telecast live since 5 July 2004. Now the live telecast of the entire proceedings through the satellite channels would provide the people all over the country and abroad direct access to and first hand knowledge of the working of their elected representatives in the highest democratic institution. Live telecast will enable the people to acquaint themselves with the parliamentary procedures and conventions. It can contribute substantially to the better public understanding of the diverse issues of national and international import being considered by the House and the process by which a Legislature undertakes legislation. People across the nation would now be able to witness how their representatives are functioning in projecting their aspirations, and ventilate their grievances. Such an exposure, I believe, will make parliamentarians more alert and accountable to the public and make debates more purposeful and meaningful.

The House of the People, the Lok Sabha, and the Rajya Sabha are the highest fora of national importance and the entire system of Parliamentary Democracy get sustenance from the proper functioning of these two Houses, which provide the platform not only for making laws but also for debates, discussions and raising issues for the purpose of solving the peoplesï¿½ problems. One cannot deny that transparency in functioning as also proper articulation of the peoples problems are the basic postulates of a vibrant Parliamentary Democracy. Our Constitution makes the Central Council of Ministers responsible to the House of the People and the Honï¿½ble Members of the House are accountable to the people who are the real masters. Therefore, we cannot but concede to the peopleï¿½s right to know what is happening inside the House, which is composed of their representatives. With the availability of modern technology it is now possible to let the people know live as to what is being discussed and debated and how we are functioning. The telecast will provide a direct link between the people and the functioning of the Houses and the Honï¿½ble Members.

I have been told that the telecast of the proceedings will reach about 40 million households in the country, which means that about 200 million people will have direct access to the proceedings of the Parliament through these channels. The dedicated channels of Parliament will also offer ample scope for telecasting innovative television programmes in the form of capsules and documentaries. Such programmes will be largely based on actual parliamentary debates, discussions pertaining to important bills, policy measures introduced by the Government, Interviews, etc. on different aspects of democratic set up. Once again I express my sincere thanks to all those who have made the live telecast possible, which is going to be inaugurated today. Thank you. Parliament - Government: National Portal of India Parliament Parliament Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India. The Indian Parliament comprises of the President and the two Houses-Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The President has the power to summon and prorogue either House of Parliament or to dissolve Lok Sabha. The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950.

The first general elections under the new Constitution were held during the year 1951-52 and the first elected Parliament came into being in April, 1952, the Second Lok Sabha in April, 1957, the Third Lok Sabha in April, 1962, the Fourth Lok Sabha in March, 1967, the Fifth Lok Sabha in March, 1971, the Sixth Lok Sabha in March, 1977, the Seventh Lok Sabha in January, 1980, the Eighth Lok Sabha in December, 1984, the Ninth Lok Sabha in December, 1989, the Tenth Lok Sabha in June, 1991, the Eleventh Lok Sabha in May, 1996, the Twelfth Lok Sabha in March, 1998, Thirteenth Lok Sabha in October, 1999, Fourteenth Lok Sabha in May, 2004 and Fifteenth Lok Sabha in April, 2009.

Visit the Parliament of India Website (External website that opens in a new window) Rajya Sabha The origin of Rajya Sabha can be traced back to 1919, when in pursuance to the Government of India Act, 1919, a second chamber known as the Council of States was created. This Council of States, comprising of mostly nominated members was a deformed version of second chamber without reflecting true federal features. The Council continued to function till India became independent. The Rajya Sabha, its Hindi nomenclature was adopted in 23 August, 1954. The Rajya Sabha is to consist of not more than 250 members - 238 members representing the States and Union Territories, and 12 members nominated by the President. Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. However, one third of the members retire every second year, and are replaced by newly elected members. Each member is elected for a term of six years. The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The House also elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members.

Besides, there is also a panel of "Vice Chairmen" in the Rajya Sabha. The senior most Minister, who is a member of Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister as Leader of the House. More information of Rajya Sabha (External website that opens in a new window) Lok Sabha Parliamentary institutions in India, with all their modern ramifications, owe their origin to India's British connections. Until 1853, there was no legislative body distinct from the Executive. The Charter Act of 1853, for the first time provided some sort of a legislature in the form of a 12 member Legislative Council. The Indian Independence Act, 1947 declared the Constituent Assembly of India to be a full sovereign body. Apart from being a Constitution drafting body, it also assumed full powers for the governance of the country. With the coming into force of the Constitution on 26 January, 1950, the Constituent Assembly functioned as the Provisional Parliament until the first Lok Sabha, then known as the House of People, and was constituted following General Elections in 1952.

Lok Sabha, the Hindi nomenclature was adopted on 14 May, 1954. The Lok Sabha is composed of representatives of people chosen by direct election on the basis of Universal Adult Suffrage. The Constitution provides that the maximum strength of the House be 552 members - 530 members to represent the States, 20 members to represent the Union Territories, and 2 members to be nominated by the President from the Anglo-Indian Community. At present, the strength of the House is 545 members. The term of the Lok Sabha, unless dissolved, is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. However, while a proclamation of emergency is in operation, this period may be extended by Parliament by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time and not extending in any case, beyond a period of six months after the proclamation has ceased to operate. More information of Lok Sabha (External website that opens in a new window) Difference between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Members of Lok Sabha are directly elected by the eligible voters. Members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote.

The normal life of every Lok Sabha is 5 years only while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. Lok Sabha is the House to which the Council of Ministers is responsible under the Constitution. Money Bills can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. Also it is Lok Sabha, which grants the money for running the administration of the country. Rajya Sabha has special powers to declare that it is necessary and expedient in the national interest that Parliament may make laws with respect to a matter in the State List or to create by law one or more all-India services common to the Union and the States. Functions and Powers The cardinal functions of the Legislature include overseeing of administration, passing of budget, ventilation of public grievances, and discussing various subjects like development plans, international relations, and national policies. The Parliament can, under certain circumstances, assume legislative power with respect to a subject falling within the sphere, exclusively reserved for the states. The Parliament is also vested with powers to impeach the President, remove judges of Supreme and High Courts, the Chief Election Commissioner, and Comptroller and Auditor General in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Constitution. All legislation requires the consent of both Houses of Parliament.

In the case of Money Bills, the will of the Lok Sabha prevails. The Parliament is also vested with the power to initiate amendments in the Constitution. Parliament Related Information

Question: The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha are the two Houses of the Parliament of which country?
Answer: INDIA